TRANSFER ROUNDUP: Arsenal In For Swiss Midfielder, Chelsea Handed Mkhitaryan Boost, And More
Chelsea Handed Boost In Henrikh Mkhitaryan Chase
Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Mkhitaryan has been in staggering form, having scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, and thereby attracting the interest of English giants Chelsea, amongst other clubs. And now, Chelsea’s hopes of landing the 27-year-old have received a boost, as talks over a new deal between Mkhitaryan and Dortmund have stalled.
The Armenia international’s contract at the Signal Iduna Park runs out in the summer of 2017. However, the midfielder is understood to want a buyout clause in his contract if he is to commit his future to the German giants. Dortmund are unwilling to comply to this request, having previously lost Mario Gotze to rivals Bayern Munich when the Bavarian club triggered Gotze’s £31 million release clause in 2013.
West Ham United Submit Bids For Two Top-Class Belgian Strikers
West Ham have submitted official bids for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke and Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, according to The Mirror.
As per reports, West Ham have made a £25 million bid for Christian Benteke, and a £24 million offer for Michy Batshuayi. The Hammers have been interested in Benteke for quite a while, and are willing to go forward with the deal if the former Aston Villa man is ready to make a small compromise on his wages. Benteke’s 22-year-old Belgian counterpart Michy Batshuayi has been under their radar for quite some time as well.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan revealed on Monday: “We put in a bid today for £24m for a player, and other bids will be going in. We are going to make a £20m-£25m bid for a player in England this week. So whatever happens we’ll bring a top striker in.”
Arsenal Make €43m Offer For Swiss Midfielder
Arsenal have reportedly submitted a €43 million bid for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka has been on Arsenal’s wishlist for quite some time, and Arsenal boss Arsene wenger believes the midfielder is a perfect replacement for the ageing Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.
As per German site Rp-Online, Arsenal have actually lodged a €43 million bid for the 23-year-old, contradicting Wenger’s statement in which the Frenchman stated Arsenal are currently not looking at anyone. The high amount of the bid, which is equivalent to £34 million, may be due to the fact that Xhaka’s contract with Mönchengladbach does not run out until 2019. But Arsenal are adamant on signing the midfielder despite the high asking price, as Wenger sees the youngster as a long-term midfield option.
However, Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has vowed to try his best to stop their star man from moving away from the club, by stating: “We will fight for Granit. There are clubs that can offer an even bigger chance of playing Champions League and competing for titles and trophies.”
Mauricio Pochettino To Bid £20m For Liverpool’s Adam Lallana
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly eyeing a £20 million summer swoop for Liverpool’s Adam Lallana, as per The Mirror.
Lallana was Spurs’ rumoured target back when Pochettino arrived at White Hart Lane in the summer of 2014, but the Englishman joined Liverpool for £25 million instead. And despite having failed to impress in his debut season at Anfield, Lallana has had a much better second season under new manager Jurgen Klopp.
Pochettino has seen Lallana’s potential first hand back when the duo was together at Southamapton, and therefore wants the midfielder to be Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s number one priority. Adam is a regular starter for Klopp at present, but with the German tactician interested in bringing in big names like Mario Gotze this summer, the former Dortmund boss may not need a lot of persuasion to part ways with the 27-year-old.
Leicester City In For Italian Striker, Confirms Manager Claudio Ranieri
Leicester City have been keeping an eye on the progress of signing Pescara striker Gianluca Lapadula, Claudio Ranieri has revealed.
Ranieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sky Sports): “I just want some new players who are at the level of my starters, and greater tactical coordination for the team. We also look to Italy for the market. Lapadula is very good. We’ve been following him for a while.”
The Foxes look set to sign Lapadula, who has managed to score 24 goals in Serie B this season. The 26-year-old is also a transfer target for Italian giants Juventus, but with more guaranteed game time at Leicester, the striker could very well be on his way to the Premier League champions this summer.
